New Socceroos fight to impress

Having taken a largely inexperienced Socceroos squad to the EAFF East Asian Cup, head coach Holger Osieck has created a renewed rivalry within the side as they all aim to get the chance to impress throughout the whirlwind tournament.

Having taken a largely inexperienced Socceroos squad to the EAFF East Asian Cup, head coach Holger Osieck has created a renewed rivalry within the side as they all aim to get the chance to impress throughout the whirlwind tournament.

One Socceroo that is looking to fight his way into frame for a World Cup call up is 23-year-old defender Ryan Mcgowan.

McGowan made his Socceroos debut in 2012 in Scotland and has now returned to an Australian squad that is as competitive as ever as every player fights to get in coach Holger Osieck-s good books.

“I think everyone-s goal is to catch the bosses eye by performing strongly in this tournament,” said McGowan.

“If you are picked in the side you have to make sure that you-re playing to the standard that he (Osieck) wants you too so you get chosen in future squads.

“Training has been good and the team is pumped up and we all want to play but know that if we don-t start then we are ready to go if we are needed at some point during the match.”

It was not the perfect opening for many of the players to push their claims for future selection after the Socceroos escaped with a 0-0 draw against hosts Korea but McGowan was optimistic the side would improve.

“After the first match we know have to play better and keep the ball more often.

“We didn-t play our best but we dug in and got the point and now are looking to improve in our next match.”

Next on the agenda is a team that the Socceroos are beginning to meet at regular intervals and one that is eager themselves to get all three points after giving up a two goal lead to draw 3-3 with China in their opening clash on Sunday.

“Australia are building a really good rivalry with Japan.

“We got a good result against them in Japan in the World Cup Qualifiers a couple of months ago but we know this is a new tournament.

“Both teams will be going out to get the three points which will be a big step to taking out this tournament.”

All four teams sit on a single point each and know that anything less than a win in their next match would make it very difficult for them to secure the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup.

“With the way that the results fell in the first matches we know that if we get a win over Japan that we then go into the match against China with a chance to take home the trophy.

“Everyone wants to do the best we possibly can. We are here to put in some good performances and obviously win.”

The crucial clash with Japan takes place at 9pm AEST this Thursday and will be shown live on Foxtel (coverage from 8:30pm).